Golden Age Audio Pre-73 MKIV
Studio hardware and microphones maker Golden Age Audio announces availability of Pre-73 MKIV - angled as the latest and greatest update to its best-selling ’73-style preamp series, spiritually bringing back to life the musically warm, punchy, and sweet sound of classic British consoles, adding tone and colour to microphone favourites or keeping things clean while also doubling as a line-level preamp and DI (Direct Inject) box for electric guitar and bass - as of August 15…
As a versatile, colourful, and affordable British-style mic preamp and DI box, Golden Age Audio’s Pre-73 MKIV allows its users to achieve vintage colour and punch by cranking up the GAIN knob without fear; after all, a dedicated OUTPUT control allows attenuation of the signal, so it is perfectly possible to drive the preamp without overloading any associated audio interface inputs. It is also possible to engage the -14dB OUTPUT PAD for even more control of hot signals, or keep things clean and transparent by backing off on the GAIN and turning up the OUTPUT. On top of that, further tone-sculpting capabilities come courtesy of the selectable LOW-Z low- pass filter to eliminate unwanted low-end rumble at the source, and/or using the selectable - 3dB/6dB - AIR EQ to add some shimmer and presence to the top-end. Toggle between 1200O or 300O resistance using the LOW-Z to hear how connected mics react!
Connecting condenser and dynamic microphones is not a problem, thanks to Pre-73 MKIV’s switchable +48V mic input, while its 80 db of GAIN make it ideal for use with sensitive ribbon microphones on delicate sound sources. Sensibly, LINE- and instrument-level inputs allow for further connection to almost any audio source, and a rear panel-positioned INSERT jack is provided for using external processors like EQs and compressors. Choosing from TRS or XLR OUT (output) options is, of course, a given.
True to the classic preamps of yesteryear, Pre-73 MKIV was designed with a focused attention to component choices and build quality not found in other preamps near the same price. Put it this way: no surface-mount components or integrated circuits are used, and all inputs and outputs are transformer-balanced affairs using two different purpose-optimised transformers. Indeed, its external power supply eliminates the risk of self-noise, and its metal half-rack chassis is both portable and sturdy.
Saying all that, then, getting classic console tone and getting the most out of anyone’s mic locker is what Pre-73 MKIV is all about - and all keenly priced to go. Pre-73 MKIV is shipping and available at a price of $349.00 USD - RAD Distribution acts as exclusive North American distributor for Golden Age Audio product - and a price of €374.00 EUR in the EU (European Union).